Pieter de Reuver’s letter regarding tree loss and climate change should be taken very seriously. (Re: Climate change is taking over, Letters, Aug. 2).
The thousands of dying trees in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area are indicating more than the effects of our changing climate. The over extraction of groundwater and the hard-surfacing in the area, are lowering aquifers beyond the capacity to recharge in the winter. When subsurface water levels decline, the ground levels drop and lose much of the capacity to retain water.
Most of the east coast of Vancouver Island was historically saturated with very high water tables. Now we have tens of thousands of wells drilled and the drainage and diversion of many millions of cubic meters of precipitation annually. The effect of the loss of trees and evaporated moisture is compounding the already altered climate.
We obviously didn’t learn much from the demise of many ancient civilisations that failed because of lack of water.
We are so fortunate here because we live in an ideal location for an abundant, pure and very low cost water supply. All it will take is foresight and logical action to resolve. More at http://www.ouroceansidewater.com/upland-storage-a-better-option.html.
Future water security should be a primary topic to discuss during the upcoming elections.
Trevor Wicks
Qualicum Beach